Oncorehabilitation
Both the underlying disease and the therapies used to treat it have very serious side effects that can have a major impact on quality of life. In our institution, with the help of the expertise of our professionals, we have developed a complex, personalised rehabilitation programme to prevent permanent damage to health and the psychological problems that go with it, or to treat the disorder(s) that have already developed. All of this creates the opportunity to prevent or delay the recurrence of the disease.
The therapeutic programme is structured as follows:
- General weakness in cancer patients
The incidence of fatigue is almost 100% during oncological treatment, and it is slow to subside in the following years. The following factors play a role in the onset of frailty:
- the underlying disease itself
- the oncotherapy (radiotherapy, chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy) used
- certain abnormal physiological functions or abnormalities (e.g. haematological disorders, immobility (lack of mobility which reduces muscle mass and restricts the range of movement of joints)
- metabolic alterations, mainly due to: inadequate nutrition, side effects of drugs, dominant metabolism of the tumour, other cells in the body ‘starving’ and not getting the right nutrients, inadequate pain relief
- general depression (loss of vision, feeling of being left alone, etc.)
What can we do about cancer fatigue? Given the complexity of the symptoms, the solution is complex. We can choose from the following tools to find a personalised solution.
Supportive communication; pain relief; oncotherapy drugs; psychotherapy; relaxation and meditation techniques; breathing techniques; body awareness; exercise rehabilitation; a basic disease-specific diet
- Cancer pain
Pain requiring treatment occurs in 50% of patients with cancer, 70% of which is due to the underlying disease and 30% due to treatment.
Causes of cancer pain:
- because of the location, size or complications of the tumour
- oncological treatments and interventions
- secondary lesions caused by tumours, e.g. constipation, flatulence, intestinal spasm
- pain independent of the underlying cancer
What can we do about pain?
After a thorough assessment, pain relief is provided on an hourly basis, according to pain levels, continuously and individually, using the most modern medicines, under the supervision of a specialist.
- Nutritional and weight problems in cancer patients
Weight loss occurs in 50% of cancer patients, but overweight is also a proven risk factor. Both conditions increase the risk of disease recurrence and progression.
A rapid loss of 10% of body weight has a strong negative impact on disease outcome. The rapid weight loss is usually due to loss of appetite, tumour metabolism changes, nausea, taste and swallowing disorders, food insecurity, constipation, diarrhoea, malabsorption and psychological causes.
What can we do to prevent rapid weight loss?
To eliminate the above symptoms and causes, we will develop a complex and personalized nutrition program, including psychotherapy, selection of nutritional supplements, support for absorption through complex therapies, and the development of a special diet.
What can we do about being overweight?
For our patients with an elevated body mass index, we initiate slow, gentle weight loss in a complex way, based on regular, gentle exercise, calorisation to achieve the goal, psychotherapy, teaching stress management techniques, metabolic supplements and physiotherapy.
- Mood, body and intimate dysfunction
Oncotherapeutic procedures and the tumor itself almost invariably cause anatomical and functional damage to the body and mental imbalance. This kind of mental imbalance adds to the increased stress burden already present and which is thought to be a factor in the development of the disease.
Alleviating or, where possible, resolving these problems associated with the oncological disease and the treatments used will greatly improve the quality of life of the patient and those around them, as well as their prospects for recovery and even cure. These problems:
- deformities caused by oncotherapy procedures
- digestive disorders, altered bowel function
- problems caused by hormone therapy
- infertility
- sexual desire and dysfunction
- changes in a previously developed vision of the future
What can we do to improve the quality of life? We can improve the quality of life of our guests by exploring the possibilities of organ rehabilitation, increasing the patient’s knowledge about his/her condition, psychotherapy, sexology consultation, physical therapies to improve well-being and mood, physiotherapy, intimate gymnastics.
We are well aware that in such a difficult life situation, giving up bad habits can be a challenge. Research has shown that lifestyle change is more successful if, after an intensive start, we support the person who wants to change with ongoing contact, bi-annual check-ups and annual reinforcement.
The cost of the program is tailored to individual needs.
